Summer According to Zechy....

So this summer has been filled with more challenges then I think any one family should have thrown in their direction, but that's just my humble opinion. Despite all, we have been trying to keep Zechariah's reality one of fun, love, and happiness. The way life is meant to be for a 14 month old. Though we are by far not perfect parents, it is our sincerest hope that we are making a good life for him, making joyful memories for him, and continuing to help him thrive even throughout our personal sturggles everyday. And now the mommy confession: I continually fear he might get lost in the shuffle between dr appts, hospital stays, home health nurse visits, physical theray, work, errands, shuttling to and from babysitters, etc..... But ya know what?! Thank God for children's resilence. If these pictures are any indication of the summer thus far according to Zech then I *think* we might be succeeding, just a little, in sheilding him from the hurt we as parents experience in this thing called life. We just want to protect them from it all don't we mom's?!

So here ya go, pics of our little man in the last few weeks. Enjoy!

This is how we roll around the neighborhood. It puts a whole new meaning to "kick up your feet and relax" doesn't it?

Now our great friend Becki sent this to Zech all the way from Michigan. He loves it. It shines the constellation on the ceiling at night. Very cute. And very relaxing if I do say so myself. Though it's meant to help babies sleep, I have fallen to sleep quite a few times unmeaningly to this thing!

Here he is watching our favorite show on dad's makeshift hospital bed. "WipeOut"....if you have not seen it, please turn to your local listings and find it. It's meaningless, nonsense fun!
Here he is waiting to see daddy at the hospital.
And here he is having his nightly "nakey time". I have never seen anyone enjoy being naked as much as this guy. Must be a baby thing.... I love sleep pics! So peaceful. Notice how he sleeps with his head on the pillow. Such a little man!
Mmmmm a popsicle on the way to the pool! (this way when he's done, I can just throw him in the water and get the sticky off. I'm sure the homeowner's association would frown upon this bad mommy behavior :)
Yet another snack on a different day on the way to the pool. He really wore these glasses all the way down there (it's about a 10 minute walk).

Swim time!!!
Zechy had a girlfriend come to visit...well she's a friend and she's a girl but...
I think he has a crush on her because.... ...he shared his beloved sippy cup with her! If that isn't love I don't know what is!
We have been so blessed to have had the support and help from family and friends! Here are just a few of when Nathanael's WONDERFUL grandparents came to visit. In this first one, Zechy is wearing grammy's shoes to help garden in.

Here is Popo and Zechy playing their little "binky game" :)

And no shopping trip is complete without your grandpa pushing you around in a mega car shopping cart, even if all we went in for was paper towels and a spinkler head.
On the 4th of July, mama took Zechy down to the city's cheesy little parade. Only for him would I stand in the 90 degree heat for this....

Zechy loved the trash truck (I said the parade was bad didn't I?!)
My patriotic baby loved him this flag!Daddy felt well enough to join us outside for a family pic!Then it was time to get wet but not before I grabbed a quick shot with my cutie!YAY for the hose, it provides hours of entertainment!Drying off :)He is so silly trying to ride his doggy...After all that 4th of July fun it was time for a looong nap! Daddy's big outing to church the next day. Both are wearing hats for the occassion :)


The push broom, yet another great invention for babies. I think I'll be able to fire my gardner soon and just put my son to work, he actually does a decent job of sweeping the walkway :)The shirt says it all! At MyGym! The happiest place on Earth for Zechariah's (well he hasn't been to Disneyland yet...)


Never is too happy for swing time. Guess it's just not as exciting as hoses and push brooms.

Haircut number 2 at last! It was getting a little straggly looking. We can't have that!
He was excellent for the hairdresser! Maybe that lollipop had something to do with it?
Ummm but wtf on the cut?! Good thing he's so cute because I don't know many people who can pull off the Jim Carey Dumb and Dumber cut! Oh well it'll grow out. He sems pleased with himself though doesn't he? And that's all that matters anyway!